DuPage Birding Club

St. James Farm Forest Preserve, Warrenville
2022-10-17 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago)
Pre-registration is required by email please, limit 15 participants.Explore the woodlands of this preserve looking for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and other fall and winter birds. We will also check out the open spaces for grassland birds and the skies for migrating raptors. Be prepared for some dirt trails, possibly muddy if wet. Meet at the parking lot off Winfield Road.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Lyman Woods Nature Center, 901 31st St, Downers Grove, IL
2022-10-18 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required by email, limit 12 participants. After meeting in the parking lot, we will explore the varied habitats of Lyman. We will be looking for late migrants and birds that winter in our region. Lyman’s trails are known for being very muddy. If a rainy spell occurs, be prepared with appropriate footwear. Meet at the parking lot on 31st Street.Leaders: Mike & Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com

Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Woodridge
2022-10-27 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 20 participants. This morning trip, oriented toward early fall and late summer birds, is especially designed for new birders and will be at a leisurely pace to provide as much time as desired to look at each bird and to answer questions on equipment or bird identification. Meet at the Thunderbird Youth Camp Parking Lot. From Greene Road, go west on 79th about 1/2 mile, the entrance is on the south side of 79th Street, west of Greene Road in Naperville/Woodridge.Leader: Bonnie Graham, 630-204-8750, coye72112@gmail.com

Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook
2022-10-27 08:00 - 17:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Let’s walk off our Thanksgiving and see what birds have decided to spend the winter here. Beginning birders welcome. We’ll explore the woodlands along Salt Creek on pretty easy, level trails. Afterwards, if weather permits, we might continue to the Graue Mill area or nearby Dean Nature Sanctuary. Meet in the main parking lot at 3609 Spring Road. Fullersburg Woods info.Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com, 630-890-8956

Bird Sit at Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook
2022-10-28 07:30 - 09:30
Pre-registration with the leader required: Limit 10 participants. This is a field trip for anyone who finds the long walks of our regular field trips too difficult or who would just like a less vigorous birding experience, but still share the camaraderie of fellow birders. Bring your folding lawn chairs, binoculars, field guides, bug spray, and water. We will sit on the Nature Center balcony where we will be able to observe the river and surrounding woods. Meet in the main parking lot at 3609 Spring Rd. Fullersburg WoodsLeader: Natalie McFaul, natcatcher7@gmail.com

Hawkwatching 2.0; Greene Valley Scenic Overlook, Woodridge
2022-10-30 11:00 - 13:00
Pre-register please, it helps in determining the number of handouts needed. This is a 2nd opportunity for DBC birders unfamiliar with hawkwatching to learn techniques for spotting and identifying distant (hopefully some at close range too!) raptors as they fly by the hilltop. Briefing on techniques and handouts will be provided from the regulars at the Greene Valley Hawkwatch (our 17th year of operation from 9/1 through 11/30). Bring a scope if you have one.

Dress warmly and bring extra layers – it’s always colder and windier up on the hilltop, especially in late fall. We also hope to count gray ghosts, witches on broomsticks and goblins, migrating early in anticipation of next day’s celebration.

The entrance to the scenic overlook is south of 75th St on Greene Road in Naperville/Woodridge, past 79th St – the entrance to the road to the hilltop will be just south of the road level GV parking lot, on the west side of Greene. Don’t arrive early; the hill doesn’t open to the public until 11 am.Leader: Bob Fisher, 630 985 2956, bfisher928@aol.com

McKee Marsh at Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville
2022-11-05 08:30 - 10:30
DBC Planting day. Please join us to plant shrubs and saplings. The DBC is partnering with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County on a project to improve habitat for our forest birds. The Club provided a $2,000 grant to the District to purchase native shrubs and saplings to plant in an area of McKee Marsh where nonnative, invasive shrubs and trees were removed. Restoring the understory vegetation will improve the habitat for woodland nesting birds such as thrushes and warblers.Anyone can volunteer to help on this important and unique fall activity to improve bird habitat in DuPage County. Plan to volunteer with your fellow DuPage birders and give back to the Forest Preserves where we all bird every day. The more volunteers we have, the easier and quicker the project will be.Contact Joe Suchecki at DBCsec2020@gmail.com by October 31 to volunteer.

Danada Forest Preserve (west side), Wheaton
2022-11-06 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required by email please, limit 15 participants.On this trip we will be exploring the western side of Danada Forest Preserve searching for uncommon sparrows, migrating waterfowl, and raptors. Please meet on the west side of the Forest Preserve HQ parking lot.Leader: Henry Meade, Please register with kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2022-11-11 07:30 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is NOT required for this trip.Join our morning walk around the marsh to check out late fall migrants and wintering birds. Northern Shrike, American Black Duck, and many other species of birds regularly winter at this site. There should be some late fall migrants present as well. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Rd.,located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 in Warrenville. Most of our walk will be on Preserve limestone and earthen trails; wear appropriate shoes and clothing.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186

Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes
2022-11-12 07:00 - 14:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required.Join us as we check out this refuge for waterfowl and other wintering birds. This 3,000 acre restored wetlands is one of the premier natural areas in the state. It is approximately a 90-minute drive from the western suburbs. We will view the lake with scopes and walk through the woods along the lake. Plan to be at the refuge for about 4 hours (8:30-12:30). We will meet at a central location at 7:00 and carpool from there or you can meet us there at the main parking lot.Pack a lunch, snacks, and water. Bring a scope if you have one. More information: http://www.wetlands-initiative.org/dixon-location-and-visiting.Leader: Mike and Karen Warner, mwarner2543@gmail.com, 630-640-2450

Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, Hanover Park
2022-11-14 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration is required, limit 10 participants. Let’s explore Mallard Lake for late fall birds and waterfowl. We will meet at the main parking lot on Schick road just west of Gary Avenue. There are a few water areas to check and some woodland edges and shrub areas. If we have time we can continue on to West Branch Forest Preserve nearby for some more possibilities. Plan on walking trails including crushed limestone and dirt and even some grassy trails.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

Bird Sit at Herrick Lake West Shelter, Wheaton
2022-11-15 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader required, limit 10 participants. This will be the last bird sit for the year. This is a field trip for anyone who finds the long walks of our regular field trips too difficult or who would just like a less vigorous birding experience, but still share the camaraderie of fellow birders. Bring your folding lawn chairs, binoculars, and field guides. We will be birding at the Herrick Lake West Shelter. Meet at the parking lot located on the east side Herrick Road south of Butterfield (Hwy 56). Drive all the way to the end of the parking lot, the shelter is on the right. The lot for the West shelter is located on the east side of Herrick Road south of Butterfield. Herrick Lake Forest Preserve Dress for the weather, it will be cold. Bring drinking water or hot tea!Leader: Natalie McFaul, natcatcher7@gmail.com

The DuPage Greenway Trail, Bolingbrook
2022-11-16 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. We will look for late migrants, waterfowl, and winter residents. The DuPage Greenway Trail is a paved trail in Bolingbrook that runs alongside the East Branch of the DuPage River. The trailhead is on Royce Rd just west of Rt. 53. It is about a mile and a half walk to Whalon Lake.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521.

Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook
2022-11-25 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Let’s walk off our Thanksgiving and see what birds have decided to spend the winter here. Beginning birders welcome. We’ll explore the woodlands along Salt Creek on pretty easy, level trails. Afterwards, if weather permits, we might continue to the Graue Mill area or nearby Dean Nature Sanctuary. Meet in the main parking lot at 3609 Spring Road. More info.Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com, 630-890-8956

Southeast DuPage and Southwest Cook Waterfowl Search
2022-11-27 08:00 - 12:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. We’ll look for waterfowl, gulls, and others at the Centennial Trail Borrow Pit and ponds, Lemont Quarries, and Saganashkee Slough. Depending on conditions and sightings, other stops may include Sag Quarries, Long John Slough, and Maple Lake.Meet at the Lemont Rd. parking lot of Waterfall Glen (at the portable toilet). We will then caravan to the Borrow Pit. The trip will be canceled if waterfowl are scarce or the weather is poor. Directions to Waterfall Glen: drive south on Lemont Rd., past I-55 to 101st St., and turn left at the stoplight into the parking lot.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, VSroczynski@comcast.net

Elsen’s Hill/ West DuPage Woods, Winfield
2022-11-30 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required by email or text, limit 15 participants. After meeting in the parking lot, we will explore the varied habitats. We will be looking for fall/winter birds; cardinals, blue jays, juncos & whatever decides to hang around for our colder weather. Take Winfield Rd. to Garys Mill Rd. west to the preserve parking lot entrance on the north side of the road (245 Garys Mill Road). If it rains or snows prior to trip please wear appropriate footwear for it could be muddy & layer-up for the cold temperatures.Leader: Lisa Gaylord, lisarae59@yahoo.com, 630-740-0911

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2022-12-04 07:30 - 10:30
This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us to check out winter birds, as well as possible late migrants. Northern Shrike and American Black Duck are among the several species of birds known to regularly winter here. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Rd. (Mack is south of Roosevelt and north of Butterfield), located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 in Warrenville. Be sure to dress for the weather.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186

Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook
2022-12-06 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required. This field trip will include some good winter birding in wooded areas as well as some open water sections. Join us to look for a good variety while walking about 2 miles on uneven trails. Prepare for possible snow and/or ice depending on current weather. Meet in the main parking lot on Spring Road.Leader: Nancy Allured, nallured@comcast.net

St. James Farm, Warrenville
2022-12-11 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration is not required for this walk. Come out for a Birding/Nature Walk at a local forest preserve. St. James Forest Preserve is a 595-acre preserve that contains more than 100 acres of woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. We will be looking for winter birds and enjoying the pristine winter landscape. Paths are gravel. Dress for the cold. The main entrance is on Winfield Rd. just north of Butterfield Road. Meet at the Horse Statue in the parking lot.Leader: Pat Sterbling, 630-235-5001

Centennial Trail, Lemont
2022-12-14 08:00 - 11:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. On this field trip we will meet in the gravel parking lot at the end of Canal Bank Road. Coming off of Lemont Road this turnoff is called Old Lemont Road, and is unmarked, so turn at this pin: 41,683840, -88.003541. Google Map link. Feel free to ask questions on how to get there after you RSVP. On this field trip our main targets will be waterfowl. Common Goldeneye and American Coots, along with Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Canvasback, and Northern Pintail are all possible. Centennial Trail in the past has been an excellent spot for Winter Wrens too.Leader: Mark Freeburg, freebs59@sbcglobal.net or call or text 630-661-1521.

Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
2022-12-15 16:10 - 17:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Join Joe Suchecki at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville to look for Short-eared Owls. Short-eared Owls frequently winter at Springbrook Prairie and can be seen as they come out to hunt over the preserve at dusk. Meet at the Model Aircraft Field parking Lot on Plainfield-Naperville Rd., south of 75th St. in Naperville. We will walk a short distance off-trail to wait for the owls to appear. Dress very warmly since we will be standing in one place as the sun goes down. Note that the owls are generally pretty far away and often appear just as the light is failing, so this trip does not offer a photo-op. The trip will last about 30-40 min. Contact Joe if you plan on attending. The owls do not always winter at Springbrook and the trips will be canceled if they are not around or in the event of inclement weather.Leader: Joe Suchecki. Register via email at dbcsec2020@gmail.com. Phone: 630-369-5570.

Christmas Bird Count, Fermilab Circle
2022-12-17 08:00 - 17:00
The DuPage Birding Club sponsors this Christmas Bird Count. Thousands of birds and over 100 species have been logged in previous Bird Counts. This opportunity to join almost 100 other birders is open to all skill levels. If you did not count last year, please contact the compiler, Jeff Chapman, for details or to volunteer and to be assigned to a location and area captain. DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATION: December 9.Contact: Jeff Chapman, jeffchapman948@gmail.com

Christmas Bird Count, Lisle-Arboretum Circle
2022-12-18 08:00 - 17:00
Birders of all skill levels are welcome on the Lisle-Arboretum CBC. The Chicago Ornithological Society (www.chicagobirder.org) sponsors this count where sub-teams are assigned to various locations. Even if you cannot go out in the field, there is another way to contribute: DBC members who live in the count circle can participate as a feederwatcher. For details and signup: Contact: Carl Giometti, chicagiometti@gmail.com

Springbrook Prairie, Naperville
2022-12-18 16:10 - 16:50
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. Join Joe Suchecki at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville to look for Short-eared Owls. Short-eared Owls frequently winter at Springbrook Prairie and can be seen as they come out to hunt over the preserve at dusk. Meet at the Model Aircraft Field Parking Lot on Plainfield-Naperville Rd., south of 75th St. in Naperville. We will walk a short distance off-trail to wait for the owls to appear. Dress very warmly since we will be standing in one place as the sun goes down. Note that the owls are generally pretty far away and often appear just as the light is failing, so this trip does not offer a photo-op. The trip will last about 30-40 min. Contact Joe if you plan on attending. The owls do not always winter at Springbrook and the trips will be canceled if they are not around or in the event of inclement weather.Leader: Joe Suchecki. Register via email: dbcsec2020@gmail.com. Phone: 630-369-5570.

Greene Valley Forest Preserve, Naperville
2022-12-26 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration suggested so you can be contacted if the trip is canceled due to bad weather. Enjoy the winter quiet as we explore the fields and woods along the Thunderbird Trail. The walk will be on grass, gravel, and mulch paths. We’ll look and listen for woodpeckers and whoever else has decided to spend the holidays in our area. As always, new birders are welcome as we’ll take our time to spot the birds and to answer questions. The entrance is located on the south side of 79th Street, about 0.5 miles west of Greene Road. Meet in the parking lot at the south end of Thunderbird Road. Map link for parking. Greene Valley map.Leader: Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com , 630-890-8956

Southeast DuPage and Southwest Cook Waterfowl Search
2022-12-29 08:00 - 12:00
We’ll look for waterfowl, gulls and others at the Centennial Trail Borrow Pit and ponds, Lemont Quarries, and Saganashkee Slough. Depending on conditions and sightings, other stops may include Sag Quarries, Long John Slough, and Maple Lake. Meet at the Lemont Rd. parking lot of Waterfall Glen (at the portable toilet). We will then caravan to the Borrow Pit. The trip will be canceled if waterfowl are scarce or the weather is poor. Directions to Waterfall Glen: drive south on Lemont Rd. past I55 to 101st St. and turn left at the stoplight into the parking lot. For questions ahead of time, or if you are running late the day of the trip, please call 630-297-9512.Leader: Vicky Sroczynski, VSroczynski@comcast.net

Whalon Lake, Naperville
2022-12-30 08:00 - 10:30
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. The goal of this trip will be to help participants get last minute additions to their year lists. Whalon Lake can have great diversity of waterfowl, so we will be looking for goldeneye, mergansers etc. Please meet in the parking lot off of Royce Road that is east of the dog park.Leader: Henry Meade. Please register with kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com

New Year’s Day Birding at the Morton Arboretum, Lisle
2023-01-01 09:00 - 11:00
A reservation with the Morton Arboretum is required (see below).There is no limit to the number of participants.You do not need to register with the DBC Organizers listed below, but they are available to answer questions.

Come one, come all to Morton Arboretum to start the new year right! Gather at the north end of the Visitor’s Center parking lot, P1. We will split into several groups to look for birds across the Arboretum. There will be several Organizers that will give a hand with the various groups. We can rendezvous back at the parking lot to compare our sightings.● Non-members (aka, guests) can’t enter the Arb until 9:00 am, so we will start gathering at 9:00 am and begin birding at about 9:15.● We will adhere to the Arb’s Covid-19 policies. Vaccinated birders don’t need to wear masks outdoors. See this FAQ for more details: https://mortonarb.org/visit-the-arboretum/faq/#covid-19-adjustments.● We are not planning a lunch; bring your own water/snacks. Bathrooms will be open. And dress warmly!

Here is the link for reserving an entry pass: https://buy.acmeticketing.com/events/480/listPlease read the details below on how to obtain an entry pass to the Arboretum:● Every attendee must reserve their own entry pass online.● This must be done well in advance (days).● Non-members (aka, Guests) will need to pay for their pass.● Entry passes are sent via email.● The pass must be shown at the entry gate.● Entry is only allowed at the selected entry time.If you have questions, feel free to contact any of the Organizers:Kathy & Steve Mineck, 630-254-4077Steve Constantelos, steve.constantelos@gmail.com, 630-890-8956

Centennial Trail, Lemont
2023-01-02 08:00 - 10:00
Pre-registration with the leader is required, limit 15 participants. On this field trip we’ll be exploring Centennial Trail in hopes of finding waterfowl and any other wintering birds that might be around. Please meet at the end of Canal Bank Road at 8 am. The coordinates for the parking area are (41.6874173, -87.9825162).Feel free to ask questions about parking after you RSVP. Leader: Henry Meade. Please register with kathleenreeves22@yahoo.com

McKee Marsh, Warrenville
2023-01-07 07:30 - 10:30
Pre-registration is not required for this walk. This site remains one of DuPage County’s premier birding spots. Walk around the marsh with us to check out winter birds. Northern Shrike and American Black Duck are among the several species of birds known to regularly winter here. Meet at the visitor parking lot on the north side of Mack Rd. (Mack is south of Roosevelt and north of Butterfield), located between Winfield Rd. and Rt. 59 in Warrenville. Be sure to dress for theweather.Leader: Kyle Wiktor, 708-506-5186
